Mentalist Jim Callahan talks about Uri – Is he for real?

Is he for real? What has he really done? Why do magicians hate him but try to do his act and fail?
URI GELLER
Magicians have been making a living off of this guys gifts for about thirty years. I think they should thank him!

Who was demonstrating talents such as his before he flashed into the public eye?

Perhaps he is not to some what he once was. And that’s just the way it goes in our present territory. Time moves on and erodes what once was, nothing is spared from the constant and gently abrasive caress of time. It leaves its mark on all things changing them for better, worse, or just different. Nothing stays steady and even in the stream of time. Why should Uri Geller be any different?

I first saw Uri when he made an appearance years ago on the Mike Douglas talk show and for me he presented a new magic of a very special type. I watched him and in the space of fifteen minutes make possible what was impossible. The guy was exhibiting a gift I had never considered. He was not following the rules. It was a very motivating moment in my life. And that is the solid unpainted cold stone truth of that experience for me.

After all this time it sits in the slanting sunlit world of my memory. A fist sized jagged rock casting a long shadow. And I’ll tell you what that rock hit me wicked hard. It left a mark that I can still feel.

Some may surmise that I am considerably underestimating the damage the rock Uri chucked did. (And will no doubt make the comment in an atempt to be witty or clever). But read on and don’t make smart comments about what you may not yet understand.

Geller taught me a valuable lesson. To look for the impossible the amazing the improbable. And that search begins with one’s self. I think and therefore I am is a very vexing puzzle. Am I what I think I am or is that defined by what others think I am also. Am I here because of you or you me?

Perhaps Geller did what he did at that time because no one was thinking of him they simply did not consider the possibility just as I had not done. But Uri thought of himself. (and there fore he is) And what he thought of himself so would others. Or at least that is the desire of not only Uri but most of us.

I do not believe I am doing what Uri Geller does or did. I could be incorrect. It is not my intent to present performances and demonstrations as he does or did. I also find it very doubtful that Uri would be satisfied with the reliability of my demonstrations. (It is also doubtful that he could) It appears from interviews that he can demonstrate his abiltys almost on command. (Excepting when confronted with hostile or mentally combative interviewers or possibly just having an off day) I do not. And have no desire to do so. Now or in the future.

For me Geller was not doing tricks. And he did far more than he intended. (At least for me) those many years past when being interviewed on a talk show. Geller was and is to me a magician in the true sense of the word. And I still really enjoy watching the guy. There is a great deal to learn from him both good and bad.

Gellers most verbose critic The self proclaimed Amazing Randi. (But if you won’t don’t believe it of your self why should any one else?) Who changed the way i look at things.